Lists of Recordings for Belly Dancers
Featuring Songs by Farid al-Atrache

Table of Contents

Introduction   Al Rabia  Banadi Aleik  El Falaha  El Hayah Helwa  Gamil Gamal  Habbena  Habib el-Omr  Hizzy Ya Nawaem  Ishtaktillak  Kahramana  Lahn el-Khouloud  Me Alli We Oltelu  Menharemsh  Nougoum el Leyl  Nourya Ya Nourya  Raqs Leyla  Raqset el Gamal  Raqset el Jawari

Se'aa Bi Kurb al-Habib  Souk el-Abid  Touta  Ya Gamil  Ya Habibi Ya Ghaybin  Ya Wahishny Rod Allaya  Ya Zahratan fi Khayali  Yahliw  Zeina  Zenouba    Related Articles

Introduction

Farid al-Atrache was a multi-talented entertainer of the 20th century. He was a virtuoso at playing the oud, a movie star, a singer, and a composer of music. Al-Atrache was born in 1915 to parents Prince Fahad Al Atrache and Princess Alia of the Druze people. When he was 8 years old in 1923, his mother brought the family to Egypt to escape the violence of Lebanon, where people were fighting to end the French colonial occupation. In Egypt, young Atrache became a naturalized Egyptian citizen. As a promising young musician, he was accepted into the conservatory. He became apprenticed to legendary composer Riad al-Sombati, who was known for creating several of Oum Kalthoum's hit songs. As he matured, he became a popular performer as a singer and oud player in Cairo's thriving nightclub scene, working first for Mary Mansour, and later for Badia Masabni. He was discovered by Medhat ‘Aassem who heard him sing in Badia Masabni's club, and recruited him to begin his radio career. Farid went on to enjoy a thriving career in Egyptian cinema, appearing as a leading man in over 30 movies, and composing music for more than 40. My music collection contains over 200 albums specifically intended for use by belly dancers. Among these albums, about 40 include danceable recordings of songs by Farid al-Atrache. These contain more than 70 music tracks, mostly instrumental, featuring 24 of his songs. All of these tracks are listed on this page, organized by song. I've sorted them according to the length of the track, with shortest first, to make it easy for dancers to identify which tracks might fit the needs of a particular show or classroom playlist. There are translations elsewhere on my web site for some, but not all of these songs. Where available, I've included a link to each song's translation.

Al Rabia

• Year: 1949
• Appeared in Motion Picture: Afrita Hanem (Genie Lady)
• Composer: Farid al-Atrache
• Lyrics translation

This song accompanied a dance scene featuring Samia Gamal with a corps of dancers.

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
Cry to the Moon - Taqasim lil-Qamar	Sayed Henkesh Ensemble	Al Rabia - Main Melody	1:10
Cry to the Moon - Taqasim lil-Qamar	Sayed Henkesh Ensemble	Al Rabia - Main Melody	1:15
Oud Mosaics	Amer Ammouri	Al Rabia	6:58

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Banadi Aleik

This song was composed by Farid al-Atrache.

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
Belly Dance with Farid El Atrache	Unidentified	Banadi Aleik	2:03

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El Falaha

This song was composed by Farid al-Atrache. The original artist was Ammar el Sharie.

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
Best Belly Dance Album in the World… Ever, Volume 2 (Amani on Cover)	Ammar El Sharie	El Falaha	6:08

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El Hayah Helwa

This song was composed by Farid al-Atrache.

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
Best of Farid Al Atrash	Hossam Ramzy	El Hayah Helwa	6:49
Best Belly Dance Album in the World… Ever, The (Mega Muzik)	Mega Muzik	El Hayah Helwael	6:54

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Eshtaktillak

This song was composed by Farid al-Atrache. It appeared in the 1963 Egyptian movie Ressalah Min Emraa Maghoula (Letter from an Unknown Woman). The lyricist was Abdul-Jalil Wahbe, sometimes referred to as "the poet of 5,000 songs".

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
50 All Time Greatest Belly Dance Hits: Disk 1	Roger Abboud	Ishtaktillak	2:39
Bellydance Oasis	Roger Abboud	Eshtaktillak Remixed	4:18
Arabian Legends	Cairo Orchestra	Ishtaktillak	4:56
Belly Dance Fantasy	Unidentified	Eshtaktillak	5:08
Very Belly Dance	Zareh	Eshtaktillak	5:08

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Gamil Gamal

This song was composed by Farid al-Atrache. The lyrics translation appears elsewhere on this web site.

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
50 All Time Greatest Belly Dance Hits: Disk 2	Sami Nossair Orchestra	Gamil Gamal	4:01
Heart of the Beast	Brothers of the Baladi	Gamil Gamel	4:51
Best of Farid Al Atrash	Hossam Ramzy	Gamil Gamal	7:23

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Hebbena (بينا حبينا)

• Year: 1975
• Appeared in Motion Picture: Nagm fi Hayati (Star of my Life)
• Composer: Farid al-Atrache
• Original Artist: Farid al-Atrache
• Lyrics translation

El-Atrache sang this in his 1975 movie Nagm fi Hayati (Star of my Life), which was his final movie before he died.

This song was originally written for Georgina Rizk upon her winning Miss Universe Pageant in 1971. The original lyrics started as "Georgina Georgina" However, the Lebanese radio station declined to broadcast it due to a law that forbade broadcasting songs about public figures at that time. Al-Atrache then decided to change the lyrics into "Hebbina Hebbina" and release the song via the film.

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
Mid-East Music of Scott Wilson Minus Dumbek & Percussion	Scott Wilson	Zenube	3:05
Belly Dance Yalla Bina Yalla	Setrak Sarkissian	Habina - Habina	3:19
Gems of the Middle East, Volume 1	Mary Ellen Donald	Hebbina	3:32
Belly Dancing with Amira Mor	Amira Mor	Hebena	5:01
Casbah Bellydance	Salatin Tarab Orchestra	Habbeyna	5:15

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Habib El Omr

This song was composed by Farid al-Atrache. He sang it as the finale for the motion picture Habib el-Omr, which co-starred Samia Gamal.

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
Belly Dance with Farid El Atrache	Unidentified	Habib Elomr	3:16

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Hizzy Ya Nawaem

This song was composed by Farid al-Atrache. The lyrics translation appears elsewhere on this web site.

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
Belly Dance Sensation	Salatin Tarab Orchestra	Hzzi Ya Nawaim	1:23
Essential Bellydance	Salatin Tarab Orchestra	Hzzi Ya Nawaem	2:00
Joy of Belly Dancing, The	George Abdo	Hizzi Ya Nawaim	4:03
La Danse Orientale	John Bilezikjian	Hezy Ya Nawaim	5:08

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Eshtaktillak

This song was composed by Farid al-Atrache. It appeared in the 1963 Egyptian movie Ressalah Min Emraa Maghoula (Letter from an Unknown Woman).

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
50 All Time Greatest Belly Dance Hits: Disk 1	Roger Abboud	Ishtaktillak	2:39
Arabian Legends	Cairo Orchestra	Ishtaktillak	4:56

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Kahramana

This song was composed by Farid al-Atrache, and it appeared in the Egyptian motion picture Afrita Hanem, accompanying a dance scene featuring Samia Gamal. In this scene, Gamal is playing the role of a flirtatious genie who is trying to get her man's attention.

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
Belly Dance with Farid El Atrache	Unidentified	Raqset Kahramana	3:13
Golden Era of Bellydance, Volume 1	Firqat al-Tooras	Mkhtarat Wahab	4:38

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Lahn El Khouloud

This song was composed by Farid al-Atrache.

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
Belly Dance with Farid El Atrache	Unidentified	Lahn Elkhouloud	3:25

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Me Alli We Oltelu

This song was composed by Farid al-Atrache. The lyrics translation appears elsewhere on this web site.

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
Jalilah's Raks Sharki 5: Stars of the Casino Opera	Ihsan al-Mounzer	Samia's Dance (Medley): Ana Alli Wa Utilu	2:06
Thousand and One Nights, A	John Bilezikjian	Me Ali Woolti Loo	2:13
Belly Dance Fever	Salatin Tarab Orchestra	Ma Alli Wiltiloo	2:29
Ecstasy in Belly Dancing	Andreas Chianis Orchestra	Me All Olti Loo	2:47
50 All Time Greatest Belly Dance Hits: Disk 2	Setrak Sarkissian	Awazel Falfiloo	3:14
Oud Mosaics	Amer Ammouri	Ma Alli Woultilou	3:19
Efendi	Scott Wilson	Hedi Lou	4:05
Setrak, Vol. 20, Make Me Dance, Dance with Ameerah	Setrak Sarkissian	Awazel Falfiloo	4:07
Musica Arabe Instrumental Volume 4	Mario Kirlis	Ma Ali U El Tilu	4:14
Presence of the Past	Brothers of the Baladi	Ma Alley W'olti Loh	4:35
Belly Dancing with Amira Mor	Amira Mor	Ya Awazel Falfilu - Samrah	7:02
Best of Farid Al Atrash	Hossam Ramzy	Ma Alli Wi-Oltilo	10:08

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Menharemsh

This song was composed by Farid al-Atrache.

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
Hayati	Yasmina of Cairo	Cocktail Tacht Medley: Menharemsh	Haven't timed it yet

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Nougoum El Leyl

This song was composed by Farid al-Atrache.

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
Belly Dance with Farid El Atrache	Unidentified	Nougoum Elleil	4:33

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Noura Ya Noura

This song was composed by Farid al-Atrache. The lyrics translation appears elsewhere on this web site.

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
Dream of Scheherazade	John Bilezikjian	Noora Noora	0:57
Mezdeke Volume 08	Sabri Salt	Nura Nura Ya Nura	3:57
Hope	Brothers of the Baladi	Noura Noura	4:16
Best Belly Dance Album in the World… Ever, Volume 1 (Amani on Cover)	Ammar El Sharie	Noura	4:42
Joy of Belly Dancing, The	George Abdo	Noora Ya Noora	5:20
Best of George Abdo Belly Dance!	George Abdo	Noora Ya Noora	5:21

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Raqs Gamal

This song was composed by Farid al-Atrache.

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
Belly Dance with Farid El Atrache	Unidentified	Raqset Eljamal	3:12

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Raqs Leyla

• Year: 1952
• Appeared in Motion Picture: Ayza Atgawez
• Composer: Farid al-Atrache

In the movie, there's a scene where Leyla al-Jazariya dances to this song.

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
Saqra's Dances	Mediterranean Raqs Band	Layla	2:32
Presence of the Past	Brothers of the Baladi	Raqs Leyla	3:05
Joy of Belly Dancing, The	George Abdo	Raks Leyla	3:30
Golden Era of Bellydance, Volume 1	Firqat al-Tooras	Leyla	4:50
Masters of Bellydance Music, Volume 2	Mohamed Ali Ensemble	Leyla	4:51

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Raqset el-Jawari

This song was composed by Farid al-Atrache.

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
Belly Dance with Farid El Atrache	Unidentified	Raqset Eljawari	3:24

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Se'aa Bi Kurb Al Habib

This song was composed by Farid al-Atrache.

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
Beirut Underground	Zareh Keshishyan	Seat Bikurb il Habib	3:52
Arabian Legends	Cairo Orchestra	Se'aa Bi Kurb Al Habib	7:58

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Souk el-Abid

This song was composed by Farid al-Atrache.

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
Belly Dance with Farid El Atrache	Unidentified	Souk Elabid	3:20

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Touta

This song was composed by Farid al-Atrache.

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
Thousand and One Nights, A	John Bilezikjian	Tuta	0:47
Dream of Scheherazade	John Bilezikjian	Tuta	1:01
Belly Dance with Farid El Atrache	Unidentified	Tonta	3:35
Jalilah's Raks Sharki 5: Stars of the Casino Opera	Ihsan al-Mounzer	Tahia's Dance: Touta	3:38
Zürefa Kol Live at Sunriver	Zürefa Kol	Tootah	4:07
Gems of the Middle East, Volume 1	Mary Ellen Donald	Toutah	4:12
Right Where I Want to Be	Mimi Spencer	Toutah	4:19

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Ya Gamil, Ya Gamil (يا جميل يا جميل)

• Year: 1955
• Appeared in Motion Picture: Qisat Hobi (My Love Story) (قصة حبي)
• Lyricist: Abdul Aziz Salem
• Composer: Farid al-Atrache
• Original Artist: Farid al-Atrache
• Lyrics translation

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
Sandstorm	Roger Abboud	Ya Gamil	4:03
Middle Earth Ensemble	Middle Earth Ensemble	Ya Gameel	5:35
Tapestry of the Dance	John Bilezikjian	Yah Gameel Yah Gameel	5:35
Joy of Belly Dancing, The	George Abdo	Ya Gameel	6:00
Best of George Abdo Belly Dance!	George Abdo	Ya Gameel	6:13

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Ya Habibi Ya Ghaybin

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
50 All Time Greatest Belly Dance Hits: Disk 1	Salatin Tarab Orchestra	Ya Habibi Ya Ghaybin	2:29
Belly Dance Sensation	Salatin Tarab Orchestra	Ya Habibi Ya Ghaybin	3:48
Bellydance Oasis	Salatin Tarab Orchestra	Ya Habibi Ya Ghaybin	4:06

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Ya Wahishny Rod Allaya

This song was composed by Farid al-Atrache. The original artist was Moharram Fouad.

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
Best of Farid Al Atrash	Hossam Ramzy	Ya Wahishny Rod Allaya	11:59

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Ya Zahratan fi Khayali

This song was composed by Farid al-Atrache.

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
Belly Dance with Farid El Atrache	Unidentified	Ya Zahraten	3:07

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Yahliw

This song was composed by Farid al-Atrache.

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
Best of Farid Al Atrash	Hossam Ramzy	Yahliw	8:03

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Zeina

There are two entirely different famous songs titled "Zeina". The one in this listing is the one composed by Farid al-Atrache and sung by Shadia.

The other one was composed by Mohamed Abdel Wahab and sung by Houreya Hassan.

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
Raks Balady	Bassem Ayyoub	Zeina	4:20
Hayati	Yasmina of Cairo	Zeyna	5:40
Best of Mohammed Abdul Wahab	Hossam Ramzy	Zeina	5:43

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Zenouba

This song was composed by Farid al-Atrache.

Album Title	Album Artist	Name of Track	Length
Jalilah's Raks Sharki 5: Stars of the Casino Opera	Ihsan al-Mounzer	Samia's Dance (Medley): Zenouba	5:39

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Related Articles

These lists of recordings for belly dancers can help you find tracks of your favorite songs to meet the needs of a particular show or classroom playlist:

Songs Catalogued By Original Artist Songs by Abdel Halim Hafez  Songs by Fairouz  Songs by Farid al-Atrache  Songs by Mohamed Abdel Wahab  Songs by Oum Kalthoum

Other Music Mejance Compositions  Songs from Iraq  Taqasim, Mawawil, and Drum Solos